New law allows alcohol at some college games; not Dowdy-Ficklen

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) - A new bill that became law in North Carolina allows alcohol to be served at college sporting events, but there are some exceptions to the rule, with Dowdy-Ficklen stadium being one of the.

House Bill 500 allows alcohol to be sold at stadiums and ballparks with 3,000 or more seats. But the stadium must not be located on campus.

Dowdy-Ficklen, Carter-Finley and Kenan Memorial are all considered college campus facilities.

That means Pirates fans will not be able to purchase alcohol during an ECU football game, despite the new law.

“I don’t think it’s positive or negative for the university,” said Deonte Cavender, an ECU student. “I don't think it’s fair because I think the stadium is far enough off campus that we can have that luxury to have alcohol in the stadium..”

"I just think it will keep the college students here safer,” said Nicholas Pollares, an ECU student. “I think if you try to put alcohol in our stadium it can lead to things during the game and even after the game. I just think it’s a bad idea all together really."
The provision to the bill was actually put in place for Charlotte Motor Speedway. The last collegiate game played there was back in 2016.
Wake Forest University is the only school in North Carolina that sells alcohol in general seating at the games.